Antibacterial activity of bark of Alnus pendula against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

J.G. Choi 2,5, M.W. Lee 3, S.E. Choi 6, M.H. Kim 3, O.H. Kang 1, Y.S. Lee 7, H.S. Chae 1, B. Obiang-Obounou 1, Y.C. Oh 1, M.R. Kim 1, D.W. Shin 4, J.H. Lee 2, D.Y. Kwon 1

1 Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Wonkwang Oriental Medicines Research Institute, Jeonbuk, Republic of South Korea 

2 College of Veterinary Medicine and Bio-Safety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of South Korea   

3 Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Republic of South Korea 

 4 Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Republic of South Korea 

5 Center of Excellence in Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Paul L Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Texas, USA  

6 Department of Cosmetology Science, Nambu University, Gwangju, Republic of Korea 

7 Department of Herbal Crop Research, National Institute of Horticultural & Herbal Science, RDA, 92 Bisanro, Eumsung, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea

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• Pharmacology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are a rapidly growing health problem around the globe. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the use of plant materials as an alternative method to control pathogenic microorganisms. In this study we evaluated the antibacterial activity of bark of Alnus pendula against MRSA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MIC determination was done using the microdilution broth method and bacterial growth was determined by measuring optical density using spectrophotometer.

RESULTS: Alnus pendula bark EtOH extract and fractions (F-1, -2, -3 and -4) were investigated against MRSA. The most active fractions (F-3 and F-4) led to the isolation of oregonin (ORE) and hirsutanone (HIR). These compounds were active against MRSA strains with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 31.25 to 250 µg/ml MIC and 2 MIC of HIR completely inhibited the growth of MRSA.

CONCLUSIONS: The bark EtOH extract of Alnus Pendula has potent antibacterial activity against MRSA.

Corresponding Author: Dong-Yeul Kwon, Ph.D.; e-mail: sssimi@wku.ac.kr

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